We're looking for a talented filmmaking team to work alongside a sponsor's agency of record to produce a slick, stylish, and bold live-action brand anthem video for a male-focused beauty product. You'll work with an existing storyboard, and need to handle a large scale production filming outside of the United States.
For this project, our Mystery Sponsor is a client in the beauty space and they're currently working with one of their agencies on an exciting new brand anthem video for one of their male-focused product lines. This will involve a large live action shoot. It will be anchored by a :30 anthem video, but it will also be supported by a large suite of supporting assets, including some still photos, and some bespoke social-first content. The specific creative approach and storyboards are still being finalized by the agency, but you will work with Tongal, the sponsors, and their agency to further develop the storyboards and the creative to ensure that we're bringing something truly special to life. The budget is still being determined but will likely be at minimum $200k.
The goal of this project then is to find someone that can handle a large scale production, and work within the framework developed by the sponsor's agency. This is open to any filmmaker - domestic or international - to handle production as the shoot will need to be filmed outside of the United States. We assume that may mean Canada or Mexico, but we're open to the UK or Europe, or other international locations. No additional funds will be provided for travel or accommodations though, so if you're not local to an international location, you should keep the budget in mind and account for that when thinking about crewing up and proposing a creative approach. You'll also need to think about casting for the US market, so any city that you select should be a major metropolitan location with ready access to an appropriate casting pool. We want to find someone who can create modern and visually striking content that can stand out in the streaming ad space, and feel innovative and energetic. As this brand is within the male beauty space, and targeting a more youthful demographic, we want to capture attitude, give the content a fashionable & premium feeling, an bring an overall sense of stylish rebellion. Visuals will need to be sleek, bold, and even a little high-concept, and the video will be punctuated by direct messaging with prominent brand visuals and product placement.
We expect - depending on where this ends up being shot - that there will be a large contingent of representatives from the sponsor, their agency, and Tongal who will physically be on set. You'll need to account for a robust video village, but you'll also need to maintain a remote feed for anyone that can't join in-person. As mentioned, this production needs to take place outside of the United States so coordinating a reliable remote feed, regardless of where it inevitably takes place, will be paramount.
If selected, you'll work closely with Tongal, sponsor, and their agency of record to develop a production approach that aligns with the provided creative, and all visuals that you are needed for your assets are captured on the day of the shoot.
We can't share more info publicly in the Pre-Pitch Phase, but if this all sounds interesting, please submit any past work that might be relevant to the beauty or personal care space or the types of higher-end productions we're looking for. You may also share any general info about your team and your capabilities, but nothing else is required - we don't want you spinning your wheels too much here.
In the Pre-Pitch Phase, four creators will be selected, and after signing an NDA, they will be provided with additional information about the mystery sponsor and the campaign, and will be able to submit a proper pitch.
For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.
DELIVERABLES: The final deliverables list is TBD.
EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE
AI USAGE: You may not use AI generated visual or audio assets in your final content. However, for the purposes of your pitch and pre-production materials, you are welcome to use generative AI to create visuals, storyboards, animatics, proofs-of-concept, etc. that might help the Sponsor understand your vision for creating the final content. Additionally, assistive AI tools (e.g. object removal, compositing, color grading, sound mixing, subtitling, etc.) may be used in post-production to supplement your workflow. Please keep record of any AI usage deployed in your submissions in the event that the Sponsor requests AI disclosures. If you have questions about any specific usage or tool, please ask your Tongal producer.
By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a submission. Though most projects do move forward, we'll notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any submissions via the Project Forum. Regardless of the result, all submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and project team.
In order to be considered, include the below materials in your submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery. All Pitches remain private, even after a Pitch is selected, and Tongal strives to have Pitch selections made by the end of the Evaluation period, but additional time may be required by the Sponsor, depending on any number of factors. Unless specifically requested, there's no need to include a budget with your submission.
PRE-PITCH PHASE:
In order to be considered for the Pitch Phase, you will need to submit samples of previous work, confirm your availability for production, and tell us why you are interested in submitting to this project. It’s your chance to raise your hand and say, “Hey, I’m available and I have this opportunity and want to learn more!”
PITCH PHASE:
BUILDING YOUR TEAM: Looking for help? Post crew and production opportunities connected to Tongal projects on Backlot - before or after the Pitch Phase. Backlot includes search tools to help you find collaborators and crew by role, skill set, location, and more, for productions of any size and type. Tongal also supports inclusivity in all productions, and strongly encourages you to hire diverse talent for your team. To find additional options for staff & crew in your area, check out these resources and partners.
The most compelling pitch will be greenlit by the Sponsor, and the responsible creator will then receive an email from Tongal producers detailing next steps. All submitters will also receive an automated email notification that a selection has been announced. To ensure you’re receiving project updates, review your email settings to check that you haven’t unsubscribed.
Creators who’ve been selected will receive funding upon completing the Winner Affidavit and the IP Assignment. Payment of the pitch funds is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal, typically included with the project timeline.
PRE-PRODUCTION BIBLE & APPROVALS: Prior to the commencement of actual production, creators MUST prepare a singular pre-production "bible" document with the elements contained below, and that document MUST receive final approval from the Sponsor. We recommend that you use the bible template we provide HERE, or something very similar. The bible can be presented in stages as different elements are ready for review (i.e. it's not expected that storyboards, if required, are ready with your first draft). Apart from the below, you're also welcome to include other key items that you think would be helpful to communicate your plan (e.g. moodboards, lighting, music, shot list, etc.).
Note that there may be multiple rounds of feedback until elements are approved, and if you begin production before you have received final approval, you may need to reshoot or reanimate at your own expense.
For convenience, we've provided some helpful templates that you can consider using for pre-production materials, and they can all be accessed here.
REVISION REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: Once Content has been submitted and the initial Production Phase completed, greenlit creators will enter into Revisions. Creators will perform reasonable edits on their videos according to the Sponsor's feedback. Check out our Filmmaker Resource Portal to access helpful post-production resources like Text-Safe Guides for different platforms, Project File Organization Tutorial, Export Presets, and Captioning services.
MUSIC: If you use music from a library for your content, you MUST use one of Tongal's music providers: Universal Production Music, PrimalHouse, or Slipstream. Music from these providers is available to registered Tongal members at no charge solely for their incorporation into submissions to this project, and will not require a Music Release Form. To learn more, click on any of the providers' names above.
If you use original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. Please ensure your composer reviews and signs this form BEFORE beginning their work.
STOCK FOOTAGE: Tongal has partnered with the stock footage library Storyblocks, which can be used to source video clips, photography, and After Effects templates for your video submission to this project. Video or photo content from Storyblocks is available at no charge, solely for incorporation into submissions on this project, and will not require a separate Release Form. If identifiable people or intellectual property appears in a video clip or photo, you may only utilize assets that are clearly marked “Model released: Yes” or “Property release: Yes” on the clip description pages. You may NOT use any audio.
If you intend to use Storyblocks, inform your Tongal producer, and an account will be created for you to access the library. Once assets are approved for delivery, you must provide a complete list of all Storyblocks content that you used via our template HERE.
ASSET DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: You must also provide all project files, editing sequences and a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec in order to submit final payment. You are responsible for any costs associated with the hard drive and shipping. Tongal also reserves the right to request all raw files associated with the project.
To ensure a smoother delivery, please review the Export Presets, Specifications, and Project File Organization Tutorial in our Filmmaker Resource Portal.